David Warner open for 'honest conversation' with CA to overturn captaincy ban

Australian batter David Warner has said that he is open to having an “honest” conversation with Cricket Australia over his lifetime ban from holding any captaincy role overturned. This comes after the southpaw signed a two-year deal with Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL).

The leadership ban on Warner was imposed due to his involvement in the ball-tampering incident in Cape Town, South Africa in 2018. Warner, the then-vice captain of Australia, was handed the heaviest punishment among others, with Cameron Bancroft and Steve Smith also facing charges. However, many have argued that Warner must be allowed to have a leadership role in the BBL, if not for the national team.

“That hasn’t really been brought to the table,” Warner was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo. “As I’ve said plenty of times off the record, it’s upon the board to reach out to me and open their doors. Then I can sit down and have an honest conversation with them.”

I’m a leader in the side anyway without having a title: David Warner

“The board has changed since back in 2018 and when all those sanctions were dealt. It would be great to have a conversation with them and see where we are at,” said the Australian batter. Warner stressed he has got the experience and is a leader in the team without having any title. He also said that he is open to talking to the younger players and letting them learn from him.

“I’ve got the experience, I’m a leader in the side anyway without having a title,” he said. “That’s what I’m about, giving back, so if they [younger players] can pick my brains in any way, my phone is always there, they have my number, and they can see me when I’m at the practice facilities,” the 35-year-old said.

Warner is regarded as one of the best opening batters across formats in the world and is one of the most experienced players in the national side. He was the long-serving deputy of Smith during the latter’s tenure as the Australia captain. He was last seen in action in the away Test series against Sri Lanka.